HotI, I am not sure. I guess labour contractions end up with a baby and BH ones are just a pain
Bella, good luck! I hope it happens soon for you xx
Here is a little bit on home birth from the male perspective -A friend had a little baby boy the other day, at home in water just like she wanted. I went over to visit and we talked on and off for about 2 hours going over the general story of the birth and then other bits and pieces as she thought of them, comparisons with first birth etc as you do.
So today the father was over at our place talking to DH while they were shoveling gravel. The conversation went like this:
DH: How is baby going?
F: Good, way easier than #1. Were you at your DD2's water birth?
DH: yep
F: Did you catch her?
DH: Nope, the midwife did
F: I caught mine and passed him under wifes leg. It was good being at home.
DH: yeah, it is way easier being at home.
F: With #1 wife had to stay in hospital for 10 days because he was early
DH: That would have sucked. Being at home is much better.
F: Yeah, people were worried about it, but it was way easy.
DH: It isn't a problem. Do you want me to bring round the wheelbarrow?
hoti, Bh typically aren't painful, they feel like your tummy muscles are tense itms. early labour for me was slightly uncomfortable and a little bit painful but I could still function and speak through them, but it was definitely more than Bh. they slowly got more intense over 48 hours before established labour started. everyone is different though and I have heard people say that they have some pain with Bh.
Bh for me were symmetrical tightenings around my belly button (think almost a circle shape of spasm around the belly button) whereas labour was period pain style, down low, with a pulling sensation on my cervix.
Thinking of you too Kate.
Early labour just wasn't as intense for me, but in the same area (low) as the more effective labour contractions. Early labour also weren't lasting as long or occurring as regularly. But they clearly did something, because I was only in established labour for an hour and a half before I started involuntarily pushing (so obviously fully dilated, I assume, although there was no checking!).
last night BH's were 10 mins apart for hours. Didn't get more intense tho and didn't do anything exciting. But I think things will kick off here in the not too distant future. I am just enjoying things as they are at the moment. I think yesterday having the show has made me feel brighter, knowing things could start at any min and possibly won't drag for another few weeks. Even if they do I am just feeling brighter about it all right now, so if that helps me cope with the next week, then that is great.
thanks for all of your support girls. I felt really uplifted yesterday by all of the encouraging posts that you all made. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart
Getting so close now Bella! The last few days are the hardest - glad to hear you're feeling a little more positive today. Go easy on yourself, cry when you need to, plan something fun - a pedicure, a lunch with friends, whatever, buy a good book or magazine, make a last-minute thing for baby....
Can't wait to hear about the arrival of your little one. I'm sure after all this "warm-up", your labour will be quick, and hopefully easy. All the best!
Oooo not long now, Bella! Don't be surprised if it doesn't start in earnest until things calm down at the end of the day. Hope your lovely DH is making sure you get plenty of rest today!
Tehe I bet you did. I made mine suffer but I did let them in the pool twice I put up one of those portable tent roof thingos (lost my nouns) in the pool for shade. Hot pink zinc'd them and rashies. poor ds. Must remember to buy Blue zinc. Lol.
Trying to stay off Facebook so have hidden my mobile for the day. But had to pop in here and check on you lovely pregnant mummy's.
Oh it was so hot at my place yesterday - 38 degrees! My poor feet and legs were so swollen. They looked like elephant's legs, lol.
I had my air con on all day too Bella. If I get too hot, I become really grumpy. I just didn't want to be grumpy yesterday. We are expecting a cooler day today. I have to work today (I work from home as a consultant, usually for non-profit community sector organisations). I am going to take my lap top up to my parent's house, and they will look after the kids while I get some work done. I am hoping to have my report finished by the end of next week. I feel as though I cannot properly focus on the birth until this job is finished.
My bub is posterior. The kicks and punches are quite uncomfortable at times, particularly at night. I am still hopeful that bubs will be anterior by labour day. All my bubs were anterior by this stage. We have decided to borrow our midwives birthing pool. We will set it up in my bedroom. I told my DH that I will definitely need it if I have a posterior labour. Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback about their water births or use of a pool in labour.
Bella, I think of you everyday.
HotI, I hope you are travelling well.
Hi to Tegam, em, Loulabelle, Arcadia, Cassius, meow, Arte, ladybirdflies, Kelly and Cricket - and all the stalkers who are checking up on Bella and HotI!
Eutra and Jen, I hope you and your bubs are well. Jen, I am so happy to hear that your DH is now a full-blown homebirth advocate!
ETA Christy, I have been meaning to say what an honour it must have been for you to be a part of Jen's and Hannah's birthing journey. It also sounds as though you were an invaluable member of the support team.
morning ladies Woke up this morning to DD coming in the door for a snuggle, just after a bit of a stingy contraction in my cervix. Made me wonder if today is the day. That would be nice to get some work done in the daylight hours after a reasonable sleep last night. Not that I wasn't up at 1 and 2:30 and 4 etc... but it would be nice if labour started now rather than late at night when I am already tired from a long day.
Anyway I have decided to start timing these contractions. For one they are a bit more intense although strangely shorter in intensity than normal BH's and secondly I had a bloody show this morning, ie fresh blood. Yesterday passed more thick plug sorry TMI but today is completely different and I think I might be starting to dilate. It is 7:10 now and i am home alone with DD. Might call my DH this morning and give him the heads up at 7:30. he has a 45 min car drive to get back and I will call my MW then too, just because she asked to be told of fresh bleeding on her info form. Probably won't worry her cos it wasn't much, but I guess it lets her plan her day anyway. I just don't want to get her out of bed. Same for DH. He has slept down in the oncall house last night. I really hope that he didn't get called in last night.
Anyway I am rambling cos I am a bit excited!! Wish me luck girls. It may be a long slow labour like last time, and it certainly hasn't really kicked off yet by any means. But all the signs are pointing to today or tomorrow being the day
Bella! You've been on my mind a lot, particularly because your labour sounds so much like mine with ds. Have you read my birth story? I too had a week of stop start contractions that were short in intensity. Then once things started looking like labour it was almost over and ds was born with 45 mins of transition (which was when it clicked that it was the real deal). Contractions never went longer than 30 secs for me and were really erratic, which is why no one picked I was in labour.
Go easy on yourself, cry when you need to, plan something fun - a pedicure, a lunch with friends, whatever, buy a good book or magazine, make a last-minute thing for baby.... 
but today is completely different and I think I might be starting to dilate. It is 7:10 now and i am home alone with DD. Might call my DH this morning and give him the heads up at 7:30. he has a 45 min car drive to get back and I will call my MW then too, just because she asked to be told of fresh bleeding on her info form. Probably won't worry her cos it wasn't much, but I guess it lets her plan her day anyway. I just don't want to get her out of bed. Same for DH. He has slept down in the oncall house last night. I really hope that he didn't get called in last night.
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